Nearly 30% of survey panelists reported improved conditions in April, down appreciably from almost 44% in March. At the same time, though, only about 14% of panelists reported conditions deteriorated, down from almost 22% previously. More than half the panelists — 57% — reported conditions were unchanged in April.

The EBCI for future North American conditions increased in April, climbing to 85.7 from 82.6 in March. More than 71% of panelists expect to conditions will improve during the next six months, while none of the 21 respondents anticipate deterioration during that time period.